If you were to enter a casino in Southern California 20 years ago, you likely experienced a smoke-filled tent, not a luxury resort. Now, many Southern California Native American tribes have built full-fledged complexes akin to those in Las Vegas, complete with all the amenities that drive flocks of people to Sin City. And those that haven’t have plans underway.

“A casino can be an anchor but that’s not the exclusive draw,” Christopher Thornberg, director of UC Riverside School of Business Center for Economic Forecasting and Development said in a phone interview. “In Las Vegas it’s really about pools, nice hotels and entertainment and I think California is following that model.”

“For us, it wasn’t the gaming experience that we needed to expand,” Jared Munoa, Pechanga Development Corporation’s president said. “We saw a greater need for a complete resort experience because we are not just a casino.”

“The economy is part of the equation,” Saverio Scheri, Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa’s chief operating officer said about the rise in casino expansions in the region. “There is a comfort level and people are using disposable income for entertainment.”

Pala Casino Spa & Resort debuted its new pool complex in May and the casino floor decor has been updated. A new parking garage is open and restaurants have been re-vamped along with the addition of a new bar and improved smoke-free area. However, Pala also put construction of a new hotel tower and plans to remodel hotel rooms on hold. Casino officials have said they will announce what they plan to do with the new and existing hotel rooms at the end of this year.

Casinos and their resorts are an increasing part of Southern California tourism. (Cover design by SCNG)

“We want to see how the market is going to absorb the inventory,” Bill Bembenek, Pala’s chief operating officer said, referring to the other Southern California casinos adding lodging. “We are not in a situation where we feel we’re behind in the market, we’re in a position to see where we stand.”

But officials at properties such as San Manuel Casino in Highland see an opportunity to grow beyond gaming and restaurants.

“We saw a great need for a hotel and guests were asking why we don’t have a hotel,” Loren Gill, general manager of San Manuel Casino said in a phone interview. “We want to build a full-fledged entertainment destination.”

Take a look inside our 2018 Southern California Casinos Guide to find out where to eat, what to do, how to relax and get some insight on what’s coming to the area in the latest construction boom:

Stephanie Schulte has covered everything from travel, crime, food and entertainment since 2006. Her first assignment was writing a feature story on Ray 'Boom Boom' Mancini for Amy Blanc Elementary School in Northern California and she never looked back. Schulte enjoys playing piano (not very good), hiking, hanging with her family and friends and watching Three's Company re-runs.